Hallmark's first gay Christmas movie is here — and George Krissa is overjoyed to be a part of it
The actor sat down with Peter Knegt to talk about his role in landmark movie The Holiday Sitter
Here & Queer is an interview series hosted by Peter Knegt that celebrates and amplifies the work of LGBTQ artists though unfiltered conversations.
Saskatchewan-born actor George Krissa is helping make the yuletide a little extra gay this year.
He's one of the stars of the new Hallmark Channel movie The Holiday Sitter, which marks the first time ever that the network has had a same-sex couple at the centre of one of their films. Krissa stars alongside Mean Girls alum Jonathan Bennett in the movie, which follows Sam (Bennett), a workaholic who gets overwhelmed taking care of his sister's kids over Christmas — until Krissa's hearthrob neighbour Jason pops by.
Krissa also popped by the set of our video interview series Here & Queer to talk about being a part of Hallmark's historic first foray into saying gay. You can watch the interview here:
Krissa made it clear that he had a wonderful time making the film, which they shot in Vancouver this summer (though he did note the set looking like it's Canada in December while it was 35 degrees outside was "very strange"). A big Christmas fan himself, he was honoured to be able to be part of the Hallmark movie tradition.
"[These movies are] so joyful and cheerful and they make you feel good," Krissa says. "And to get to be a part of what has been so special. I'll never forget when I first put on the Hallmark uniform — you know, the khakis and the plaid shirt and the cardigan. And I was like, 'Oh, my gosh, that's me. I'm the plaid shirt guy.'"
Krissa thinks Hallmark has really proven that they're committed to featuring these stories.
"If you watch the Countdown to Christmas this year, there's LGBTQ folks all over the place," he says. "And what's really wonderful in what they're doing is that they're not making a big deal out of it."
"I would have loved to see this as a kid, to see everyone's accepted and that their families love them. And, it's really, really special to be part of it."
The Holiday Sitter airs Sunday, December 11th at 8pm on the Hallmark Channel in the U.S. and the W Network in Canada. It will be available to stream on each network after it airs.
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